But in Mohrmann's case, at least, things didn't go according to plan. Instead of getting her windows caulked and doors weatherized, her gas was shut off for days and she spent hundreds of dollars fixing what one PG&E official had reportedly described as a minor gas leak.

She believes her story raises a broader issue: How many other residents are likely to encounter roadblocks to retrofit if their aging homes have similar preexisting problems?

"I would love for people to use this program," said Mohrmann, 51, who lives in the house purchased by her parents a little more than two years ago. "I would love people to have this asset. But it's really not as good as people think it is."

She says she would have been better off had she never requested the voluntary audit.

"If we would have kept our mouth shut, it would never have cost us hundreds of dollars," said Mohrmann, 51, a former antique store owner who is unemployed and had to borrow the money to make the repairs.

A PG&E spokeswoman said that "safety has to come first" anytime a gas leak is identified - especially in the wake of the pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

PG&E provides gas service up to the meter. Beyond that it's the customer's responsibility, though the utility can help locate leaks and pinpoint problems, said PG&E spokeswoman Nicole Liebelt.

"If we identify a gas leak, we have an obligation to shut it off for safety purposes," she said.

She said she doesn't believe this kind of story is common, and added that representatives were reaching out to Mohrmann to see what can be done. PG&E could not pay for the repairs because Mohrmann does not own the house, Liebelt said.

"This is a good program that does help a lot," she said. "Most of the time there is little or no cost to the customer."

Mohrmann called PG&E last month after hearing about the city's goal to retrofit 8,500 homes by the end of this year. PG&E retrofit and weatherization programs are a big part of that goal.

She was visited by a third-party contractor and then by a PG&E official who said there was a minor leak in her basement.

On a follow-up visit, a second PG&E official abruptly shut off the gas, she said. It happened a few weeks back when temperatures were chilly, and Mohrmann was taking care of her 2-year-old granddaughter at the time.

She doesn't understand the difference in opinion between the two employees. She said PG&E went through the rest of the house with wands and failed to detect any gas.

Under a program for low-income residents, crews did supply her with energy-efficient light bulbs, provide her with a microwave and open up a new vent for her clothes dryer. And Mohrmann has been enrolled in a separate PG&E program that should give her a 20 percent discount on her bill each month.

Still, she said, "We're out a lot of money, and no weatherization."

Liebelt said once Mohrmann's fixes are reinspected, she should once again be eligible for the weatherization work.

Contact Alex Breitler at (209) 546-8295 or abreitler@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/breitlerblog.